Tomato Gnocchi Sauce (One Pot)

Quick and easy tomato gnocchi sauce recipe, made in one pot on stovetop with simple ingredients like tomatoes and basil and loaded with Italian flavors. It's an easy 30 minute meal.

My family really likes Italian meals and this one pot tomato gnocchi sauce always hits the mark. Hands down, this is the best. It's rich and creamy and perfect people who love classic tomato pasta sauces. You truly can't get easier than this with simple ingredients, simple steps, and maximum flavor. Some other weeknight Italian favorites are this One Pot Italian Sausage Pasta and this One Pot Lasagna Soup.

Key ingredients

• Olive oil- Used for sauteing and adding flavor
• Garlic- Be sure it is finely minced.
• Onion- Chopped up to fine pieces.
• Crushed tomatoes- I use a 28 oz can, but you can also use fresh.
• Salt and pepper- Adjust according to personal preference.
• Italian seasoning and Oregano- For that classic Italian flavor profile.
• Red chili flakes- This is optional but adds a little kick.
• Green peppers- Cut them into thin slices.
• Basil leaves- Fresh is best for color and flavor.
• Potato gnocchi- you will need a 16 oz box.
• Mozzarella cheese- Make the dish faster with pre-shredded.
• Parmesan cheese- Used as a garnish.

Variations

• Sweet potato sauce- You can make the classic potato gnocchi or the sweet potato gnocchi. It will need a creamy sauce to give it flavor and tomato sauce recipe below works well for both.
• Buttery option- Sauté garlic and fresh sage in butter until fragrant. Then toss gnocchis in this butter sauce until fully cooked and coated.
• Make it cheesier- By using a variety of your favorite cheeses, adjusting the amount to your preference. Thin out with half and half or milk, as needed.
• Use vodka- This makes a creamy tomato-based sauce infused with vodka.
• Pumpkin flavor- Made with pumpkin puree, cream cheese and flavored with some herbs and spices.
• Add in mushrooms- Use a combination of cream cheese, mozzarella cheese that is thinned out with half and half or milk. Then flavor with some fresh herbs and mushrooms.
• Make it creamy- It's a creamy garlic parmesan sauce that's flavored with Italian herbs. The creaminess comes from mozzarella cheese and adding heavy cream.
• Use pesto- Prepare pesto, using your favorite recipe or you can even use store-bought pesto and toss the boiled gnocchi in that.
• Alfredo version- Prepare Alfredo sauce, using your favorite recipe or you can even use store-bought alfredo sauce and toss the boiled gnocchi in that.
• Add spinach- Stir in ½ cup frozen spinach in this sauce near the end. Make sure to thaw it first and squeeze out excess water.
• Mix in some broccoli- To bring in some color as well as added nutrition.
• Toss in some protein- Like shrimp, chicken, or beef.

How to make gnocchi tomato sauce?

1. Saute- The garlic and onions in olive oil.
2. Add in- Crushed tomatoes, herbs and spices.
3. Let simmer- Until thickened.
4. Mix in- Green peppers and fresh basil.
5. Toss in- Boiled gnocchi and mozzarella cheese and mix altogether.
6. Garnish- With basil and parmesan cheese and you are done.

What to serve with tomato gnocchi?

A simple salad, such as this Easy Green Salad (One Bowl) or Easy Kale Salad (One Bowl) will pair really well with this dish. Of course, you can't go wrong with some buttery breadsticks or dinner rolls, too. If you'd like this to be more hearty and filling with protein options, add in some Easy Instant Pot Shredded Chicken or ground beef.

Tips and techniques

• Red chili flakes are optional- But they add a subtle spicy kick that's awesome.
• Instead of dried Italian seasoning- You can also use all fresh herbs like basil, sage, oregano, rosemary, thyme.
• Adjust the amount of Italian seasoning- Basil, oregano, based on your preference.
• Adjust the amount of mozzarella and parmesan cheese- Based on your preference.
• To make the sauce more rich and creamy- Add ⅓ cup heavy cream.
• Don't omit the fresh basil- Even though it's a small amount because it adds a lot of flavor and fragrance to this meal.
• Sweet potato or potato gnocchi can be used- In this recipe, I like the potato version the best.
• Use a nonstick pot- To prevent any burning and sticking during cooking.
• If you like crispier gnocchi- Pan fry it in some olive oil first and then mix it into your sauce.
• If the sauce is too thin- Cook it for bit longer until liquid is reduced.

Recipe FAQs

Storage

• Make ahead- This can be made up to 2 days in advance if kept in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat before serving. See freezing options below.
• Refrigerate- Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days.  
• Freeze- I recommend laying out the gnocchi in a single layer (without sauce) on a baking sheet to freeze. Once frozen, place in a sealed container in the freezer for up to 1 month. Store sauce in a separate sealed container. Thaw, combine, and reheat before serving.
• Reheat- In the microwave or over the stovetop. If frozen, be sure to thaw it out in the fridge first.

More one pot dinner ideas

• One Pot Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe
• One Pot Basil Pesto Pasta Recipe 
• One Pot Creamy Spinach Pasta
• One Pot Chicken Pasta (Chicken Fajita Pasta)
• Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta (One Pot)

Recipe